AFI FEST, a "celebration of global cinema in today’s Hollywood," is currently in full swing in Los Angeles. A program of the American Film Institute, it is the only major festival that is free and open to the public. S&A recently spoke with AFI Fest director Jacqueline Lyanga about what to look forward to during this year’s festival.

JAI TIGGETT: You’ve been running AFI Fest since 2010. What were your goals for the festival this year?

JACQUELINE LYANGA: My goal from year-to-year is always to build our audience in Los Angeles and to provide an environment in which there is an experience for the audience and for the filmmakers that’s beyond what they…